Scottish government consultation on fraud in the social security system

Date: 31 October 2018

OPFS welcomes the commitment that the Scottish Social Security Agency will treat those who use the service with dignity, respect and fairness. The process of developing the suite of early years benefits – Best Start Grants in particular- has been the first trial of that assurance. OPFS has supported single parents to participate in the co-production of the development of these benefits including design of the delivery model and application process. We would argue that the same co-design principles should be committed to in the introduction of regulations dealing with allegations or suspicion of fraud. We must have safeguards to ensure genuine errors and mistakes will not be criminalised and that the regulations are in enough detail to be future-proofed to protect our most vulnerable citizens.